Sound Reproduction Tuning With Simultaneous Reference-Comparison Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sound reproducing devices face challenges in accurately adjusting acoustic characteristics for individual users, often resulting in unnatural sound frequencies due to user operation errors, leading to unpleasant listening experiences.

Innovation Solution

A sound reproducing device that includes a sound source data storage unit for reference and comparative sounds, a reproduction processing unit for parallel reproduction, and an acoustic characteristic information generation unit that adjusts sound volumes and computes auditory-perceptive acoustic characteristics, allowing for simultaneous output and recording of reference and comparative sounds to facilitate accurate adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If auditory-perceptive acoustic characteristics are adjusted by alternately reproducing comparative sound and reference sound, then frequency characteristic adjustment accuracy is improved, but adjustment operation time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency characteristic adjustment accuracyVSAvoidadjustment operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the comparative sound and reference sound into a single mixed output signal that is reproduced simultaneously through the same acoustic channel. This merging eliminates the need for alternating reproduction while preserving the ability to compare and adjust frequency characteristics, thereby reducing adjustment time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mixed sound signal as an intermediary that contains both the comparative sound and reference sound components. This mixed signal serves as a mediator that allows the user to perceive both reference frequencies and comparative frequencies simultaneously, enabling accurate adjustment without the time-consuming alternating reproduction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If users perform trial and error adjustments to compare sound volumes, then accurate auditory-perceptive characteristics are achieved, but adjustment complexity and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound volume adjustment accuracyVSAvoidadjustment operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically generates and outputs the mixed sound containing both reference and comparative frequencies, eliminating the need for users to manually perform trial and error adjustments. The mixed output provides self-service by presenting both sounds in a format that facilitates direct comparison and accurate adjustment without complex user operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If extreme adjustment values are applied in different sound ranges, then user preferences are accommodated, but unnatural acoustic characteristics are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser preference adaptabilityVSAvoidacoustic characteristic naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the mixed sound output and using it to guide further adjustments. The mixed sound provides real-time feedback to the user about the combined effect of adjustments across different frequency ranges, allowing the user to achieve natural-sounding results that accommodate preferences without producing unnatural extremes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2665293B1Sound reproduction device, reproduction sound adjustment method, acoustic property adjustment device, acoustic property adjustment method, and computer program

Publication Date: 2015.10.14 JVC KENWOOD CORP

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
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Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A sound reproducing device has a sound source data storage unit, a reproduction processing unit, a comparative sound volume adjustment operation unit, and an acoustic characteristic information generation unit. The sound source data storage unit stores reference sound source data for reproducing a reference sound having a prescribed frequency band and comparative sound source data for reproducing comparative sounds having frequency bands different from each other. The reproduction processing unit reproduces the reference sound and the comparative sounds on the basis of the reference sound source data and the comparative sound source data stored in the sound source data storage unit. The comparative sound volume adjustment operation unit receives sound volume adjustment operation for the comparative sounds. The acoustic characteristic information generation unit simultaneously outputs the reference sound and a comparative sound of a sound volume complying with the received sound volume adjustment operation and records the result of the sound volume adjustment operation in association with the comparative sound related to reproduction.